Reception-Only Wedding Invitation Wording and Examples

Invite guests to the celebration they will attend. Say "wedding reception" or "celebrate our marriage," then give the reception's date, time and venue. If you mention a private ceremony, make clear whether it has already happened or will take place separately. Do not use a ceremony request line for guests invited only to the reception.

These are Bloomvite's fictional wording suggestions. They are not quotations from an etiquette authority or records of customer events.

A private ceremony earlier on the same day

Amara Okafor and Jonah Whitfield
invite you to their wedding reception
following a private ceremony
Saturday, 19 June 2027, at 7 p.m.
The Orangery, Hampstead
Dinner and dancing
Please reply by 22 May

The reception's start time is the time these guests need. Do not place the private ceremony's address beside the invitation as though it is another destination for them.

Already married, celebrating later

We were married in a private ceremony on 2 May.
Now we would love to celebrate with you.
Join Amara and Jonah for a wedding reception
Saturday, 19 June 2027, at 6 p.m.
The Orangery, Hampstead
Please reply by 22 May

Use past tense only when the marriage has happened. You can omit the ceremony date if you prefer, while still stating clearly what the new invitation is for.

An elopement celebration

Amara and Jonah are married!
Please join us to celebrate
Saturday, 19 June 2027, at 6 p.m.
The Orangery, Hampstead
Dinner, conversation and dancing
Please reply by 22 May

A celebration can be formal or relaxed. Describe what guests should expect and put attire, access and travel information in clearly labeled details.

Parents hosting the reception

Grace and Daniel Okafor
invite you to celebrate the marriage of
Amara Okafor and Jonah Whitfield
at a wedding reception
Saturday, 19 June 2027, at 7 p.m.
The Orangery, Hampstead
Kindly reply by 22 May

Name the actual hosts. Do not imply that the couple's parents host when they are simply attending.

What to include beyond the wording

Give the invited names, reception date and start time, venue and city, RSVP method and deadline, and any meal choices you need. Put a venue address, map, attire and access notes in the details. Keep the ceremony and reception dates distinct when they differ.

Emily Post's formal wording guide explains traditional host and request lines. These reception examples adapt the language to a separate celebration. They do not establish a rule that all couples must hold or describe a private ceremony in one way. For the choice of delivery format, see Emily Post's wedding email guidance and Bloomvite's etiquette guide.

Configure the replies accurately

If everyone receiving this invitation is invited only to the reception, make the invitation itself about the reception. When an event uses sub-events, assign the guest only to the appropriate RSVP questions and test a sample personal link.

Bloomvite's public schedule is not a private guest-specific page. A sub-event assignment does not justify promising that another gathering will be hidden everywhere. Keep private ceremony details off a public schedule, or arrange a separate invitation. Check-in is event-wide rather than a separate admission ledger for each gathering.

See sub-events, wedding examples, wording for the card and message, rehearsal dinner and welcome party.

Free covers one event and 50 people, including plus-ones and children. You share the links yourself. Platform invitation and reminder emails require Pro or Large. Check pricing.